Quote:NEW DELHI: With its 43-aircraft purchase proposal still awaiting the government go-ahead for take-off, the state-owned Indian Airlines is cruising towards the leasing market to enhance its fleet and take on increasing competition in domestic and international skies.

The airline has invited global tenders to take 10 Airbus A320 aircraft on drylease with deliveries between October 2005 and March 2006.

These aircraft will be deployed on IA’s domestic, southeast Asia and Gulf routes, the government sources told The Times of India.